Loreto Jackson Joins Clemson Athletic Administration

Sept. 14, 2005

Clemson Athletic Director, Terry Don Phillips, has announced that Dr.Loreto Jackson has been hired to the Department’s administration to develop and oversee a new integrated program of athlete care and support. This unique Total Athlete Care and Performance Program is designed to address student-athlete welfare and performance issues from a holistic perspective.

Current programs and resources will be evaluated for relevancy and efficiency and new ideas will be implemented to meet the physical, mental, social and emotional needs of student-athletes. The purpose of this new program is to enhance the Clemson Experience for student-athletes to assist them in reaching new levels of excellence in the classroom, field, and in life.

“The Total Athlete Care and Performance Program is very simply all about the total experience for our student-athletes,” said Clemson Athletic Director Dr. Terry Don Phillips. “We believe we have an unique opportunity to provide significant enhancements for each and every one in our program through a total coordinated approach in each area that impacts the life of our student-athletes.”

Jackson comes to Clemson with strong administrative, academic, and performance credentials, and a proven track record in starting and building programs, and improving athletes’ performance through the management of lifestyle behaviors.

A native of Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jackson has a bachelors degree in food science and nutrition from the University of Ulster, a masters degree from the University of Delaware in exercise physiology, and a doctorate in exercise science and epidemiology from the University of Miami–credentials which she has used extensively in consulting with athletes ranging in level from high school, to college; national to international and Olympic.

Administratively, Jackson has proven her ability to develop and grow programs. She began and expanded the first fitness and wellness programs at the University of Delaware; was the University of Miami’s first wellness director, and led the Indian River Community College Health Science Division as its first full-time dean. A strong educator, Jackson held an assistant professor position in Delaware’s Fitness Management programs, and faculty appointments in the University of Miami’s schools of Medicine and Nursing.

“This position represents for me a culmination of all the experiences I have already had,” said Dr. Jackson. “I love working with college students, and understand the unique pressures on the student-athlete; additionally as a former professor I value the academic process; finally my position as dean put everything in perspective, teaching me that there is a bigger picture into which we all fit. This position allows me to tap into everything I have learned in my previous experiences while bringing me back to the field that I love – athletic performance.”

“We are elated that we were able to attract someone with the credentials and experience that Dr. Jackson brings to that Total Care and Performance Program,” said Phillips. “We believe this is the first program of its kind in the nation and we’re very excited about the possibilities this program will have for our student-athletes.”

“I am excited to be offered this position, and with Pride, look forward to helping assist this Athletic Department, under the leadership of Dr. Phillips, to the next level,” said Dr. Jackson.

Dr. Jackson lives in Clemson with her husband, Christopher Ip (the Tiger head swimming and diving coach), and their two yellow labs: River and Newt.